Kanchanaburi — The Governor of Kanchanaburi ordered the district chief and deputy district chief to conduct a covert investigation and arrest “Blue Panther 01,” a cunning rescue worker who used an ambulance from a foundation’s emergency unit to smuggle 14 cartons (7,000 packs) of tax-evading cigarettes from the Sangkhla Buri border to sell to financiers in downtown Kanchanaburi.
On 1 March 2026, reporters reported that at 10:30 p.m. on 27 February 2026, locals lodged complaints with Ms. Warittha Sanguansermsri, Governor of Kanchanaburi Province, alleging that volunteer officials were illegally using an emergency rescue vehicle to transport tax-evading cigarettes from the Sangkhla Buri border to sell to financiers in downtown Kanchanaburi.
The governor thus ordered Mr. Wutthipong Supakwanit, Deputy Governor of Kanchanaburi, Ms. Kamolchaya Prasertsin, Provincial Clerk, and Mr. Sombun Phansomboon, District Chief of Mueang Kanchanaburi, to conduct an investigation and carry out arrests.
Later, Mr. Sombun Phansomboon, Mueang Kanchanaburi District Chief, together with Acting Second Lieutenant Thanayut Phinitchamontri, Deputy District Chief for Security, led forces from the Civil Defense Volunteer Unit No. 2 of Mueang Kanchanaburi to coordinate with Kanchanaburi Excise officials and the Internal Security Operations Command of Kanchanaburi to arrest suspects involved in transporting untaxed goods (cigarettes).
The officials staged a stakeout in front of the Government Savings Bank, Lat Ya Branch, on Kanchanaburi-Lat Ya Road, Village No. 1, Lat Ya Subdistrict, Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi Province. Subsequently, Mr. Yuttanai Sikhlai, 36, from Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok Province, using the call sign "Blue Panther 01" as a volunteer rescuer for a foundation responsible for the Lat Ya area, drove a Toyota Commuter van ambulance belonging to the foundation. Upon searching the vehicle, officials found 1,000 packs (2 cartons) of foreign cigarettes, brand Texas, and 6,000 packs (12 cartons) of domestic cigarettes, brand Krongthip (For Export Only). He was arrested and charged with "possession of untaxed goods."
During interrogation, it was revealed that after the arrest team was ordered to investigate the complaint, they found the suspect was smuggling untaxed cigarettes using a volunteer foundation ambulance, which was modified to look like a medical vehicle, to transport contraband.
The arrest team planned the operation and, at the time of the incident, spotted the suspicious vehicle matching the description parked at the scene. They identified themselves and searched the ambulance, discovering 14 cartons of untaxed cigarettes hidden inside the passenger compartment. The suspect admitted to repeatedly smuggling contraband cigarettes from Sangkhla Buri for resale to earn profits. Being a volunteer rescuer for a foundation, he used his rescue vehicle to facilitate passing through checkpoints. The arrest team then detained him and seized all evidence for legal proceedings.
Reports indicate that the cigarette smuggling ring is backed by influential financiers in Sangkhla Buri District, who coordinate with various agencies by paying high bribes to allow the smuggling operations to pass security checkpoints. They employ all methods, including hiring people with connections to drive the vehicles and clearing bribes. Recently, they even hired a volunteer rescue vehicle, leading to the arrest in this case. The cost of cigarettes bought from neighboring countries is 10 baht per pack, resold in Kanchanaburi at 40 baht per pack, selling very well with profits of 200-300%. Large financiers in downtown Kanchanaburi buy without limit and distribute the cigarettes to provinces nationwide.